NEW details have been revealed for Coventry’s long-touted £450million city centre south project as a reserved matters application has been lodged for the first of two phases of the scheme.
Development partners, The Hill Group and Shearer Property Group have submitted the application, which would see 991 new homes built in phase one, 200 of which would be affordable.
There would also be 8,000 sqm of new commercial space, all set within 17,000 sqm of public open space.
Phase two would see more commercial space and up to 584 more homes.
The buildings would be set around a series of squares, landscaped areas, communal gardens and a children’s play space.
The mixed-use development received outline planning consent in January 2022 but has faced recent schedule setbacks.
Its latest delay came in October following government changes to building regulations, meaning some of the buildings will need an extra stairwell.
But the news was a stay of execution for several affected businesses and groups, including the LTB Showrooms community artspace, which will now be able to remain open over the Christmas holidays.
Subject to planning permission, work on site is finally expected to start next summer with the first homes delivered by the end of 2026.
Developers have also committed to preserving the area’s cultural heritage.
Its public art strategy will include installing to-scale replicas of the History of Coventry mural and fibreglass panels by world-renowned artist William Mitchell.
There will also be a new Three Tuns pavilion building opposite Coventry Retail Market and existing artwork will be relocated to public locations across the development.
The proposals will provide new car-free access routes connecting Market Way, Herford Street and Rover Way to the new Cultural Gateway Centre and Coventry Very Light Rail project on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road.
Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, Coun Jim O’Boyle said: “City Centres are changing so this private sector investment will not only breathe new life into the area it will create a thriving, bustling new community that can help to support shops and restaurants and leisure attractions.
“This is a really exciting regeneration that will also create jobs and training opportunities during construction and afterwards.”
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